</s>Mr. Gebhardt 12/27/73 1 - Mr. Geehardt 1 -Mr. McGowan C. L. McGowan Mr. McDonough 1 - 1 - Mr ., Franck MURKIN 1 -1 - M. McDoughan MURKKIN This is the case involving the assassination of Martin Luther King on 4/4/68. James Earl Ray was convicted in State Court of the murder and is currently serving a 99-year sentence in the Tennessee State Prison. SAC Theodore L. Gunderson of the Memphis Office telephonically advised that an article appeared in this memphis was advised that a television station was in this quoting representatives that had reported in a deeper memphis as stating that Ray had reported mailed in a document Memphis as a state that had reportedly mailed in an inspector several persons who he claims (USCP) involved in named to assassinate King. According to the TV station sources Ray's statement was attached to a writ mailed to the USDC on Saturday. According to the article, however, U.S. District Judge I. L ., Morton when contacted late Wednesday stated he had received documents contacted Ray. Officials of the Federal Court Clerk's Office were also quoted as saying that they could find no record of having received Ray's petition. The article pointed out that last week state Corrections Commissioner Mark Luttrell stated he was approached the U. S. Bureau of the Federal Maximum Security of getting Ray transferred to a federal maximum security of prison. Sources of the TV Station stated that Ray reportedly the Wright and forwarded to a transfer and reported drew up the writ and forwarded, it to federal Court in an effort to block the transfer. WSM TV was quoted as stating That Ray reportedly has dismissed his latest attorney, Washington attorney Bernard Fensterwald and is apparently representing himself in the matter. 44-38861 JGK/pw1 16€ CONTINUED - OVER ... 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail legal proceedings and internal FBI communications related to the investigation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. Charles Q. Stephens, a witness in the case, filed a civil suit in Shelby County Chancery Court (Case No. 72333-3 R.D.) against entities including the City of Memphis, local organizations, and individuals for compensation related to reward money offered for information leading to the arrest of James Earl Ray, King’s alleged assassin. Stephens claimed he provided statements to law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, but no signed statements were retained except an affidavit from 1968. In 1973, attorneys Harvey L. Gipson and Robert A. Tucker filed a Motion for Discovery requesting access to records, interviews, reward offers, and related documents from multiple agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Attorney General’s office, and Memphis Police Department. The FBI declined to voluntarily provide information unless compelled by court order. Reward offers totaling over $100,000 were made by entities in Memphis, including the City Council, Chamber of Commerce, and newspapers. James Earl Ray was convicted of assassinating King in 1968, though controversies persist. The civil suit remained unresolved due to disputes over evidence admissibility and reward claims. Internal FBI discussions referenced allegations by former agent Arthur Murtha (possibly a misspelling) about racial bias within the bureau’s handling of the case, including delayed investigations into KKK violence against African Americans.  

Key People:  
- Charles Q. Stephens (plaintiff in civil suit)  
- Harvey L. Gipson (attorney representing Stephens)  
- Robert A. Tucker (attorney representing Stephens)  
- James Earl Ray (convicted assassin of Dr. King)  
- Joseph V. Baker (FBI Special Agent in Charge, Memphis)  
- Thomas F. Turley (U.S. Attorney for Memphis)  
- Arthur Murtha (former FBI agent; allegations mentioned)  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI office, Shelby County Chancery Court)  
- Albany, Georgia (alleged location of racist agent)  
- Washington, D.C. (U.S. Department of Justice)  

Key Events:  
- Filing of civil suit by Charles Q. Stephens against Memphis entities (1968)  
- Motion for Discovery in Shelby County Chancery Court (September 21, 1973)  
- FBI’s refusal to voluntarily provide documents unless compelled by court order  
- Conviction of James Earl Ray for assassinating Dr. King (1968)  
- Internal FBI review of allegations regarding racial bias and investigative failures  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Shelby County Chancery Court, Tennessee  
- U.S. Department of Justice  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)  
- Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-709_bulky_231_sec_008_ser_231_only-part_11_of_12.pdf

Document Summary

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